Steel 1213 CARB
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE 1213 · UNS G12130
CARB = carburized & quenched
Use when machined 1213 parts (bushings, pins, small gears) need a wear-resistant surface; core stays soft.
Values for the CARB condition
Other 1213 tempers and conditions
1213 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 1213.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition, used before severe cold heading or when maximum ductility is required. | 225 | 380 | 30 | 110 HB | 11 % IACS |
Hot rolled | Lowest-cost condition for larger bars that will be fully machined; softest and most ductile. | 235 | 395 | 25 | 116 HB | — |
Cold drawn, stress relieved | Choose when parts must stay straight after heavy asymmetric machining or grinding. | 380 | 505 | 14 | 156 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
CARBThis page Carburized & quenched | Use when machined 1213 parts (bushings, pins, small gears) need a wear-resistant surface; core stays soft. | 400 | 560 | 12 | 58 HRC | 10.8 % IACS |
CDDefault Cold drawn | Standard stocked condition: straight, size-accurate bright bar with the best chip control on screw machines. | 415 | 540 | 10 | 167 HB | — |
What is 1213 CARB?
1213 CARB is 1213 heat treated to CARB — use when machined 1213 parts (bushings, pins, small gears) need a wear-resistant surface; core stays soft. 1213 CARB has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1213 CARB has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). CD is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CARB is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 35/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades
1213 CARB properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1213 CARB; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1213 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1213 CARB has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical15
1213 CARB has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1213 CARB is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1213 CARB conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (8/100), worse than 99% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1213 CARB takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
1213 CARB's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1213 CARB
Is 1213 easy to machine?
Benchmark free-cutting steel: run high speeds with sharp positive tooling, sulphur-friendly coolant; sulfide inclusions break chips and extend tool life (≈136 % of 1212).
Can 1213 be welded?
Not recommended — high S and P cause hot cracking and porosity; if unavoidable use low-hydrogen filler, preheat and expect reduced joint properties.
Can 1213 be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability; light knurling, thread rolling and mild staking are fine, but avoid sharp bends or heavy heading (transverse ductility is poor).
What surface finishes work on 1213?
Rusts quickly bare — specify zinc or nickel plating, phosphate + oil, or black oxide; inclusion pull-out limits achievable mirror polish.
1213 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Cmax per SAE J403 / ASTM A29 | ≤ 0.13 | 0.1 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| Prephosphorized for chip breaking | 0.07 – 0.12 | 0.09 |
| Sresulfurized — MnS inclusions | 0.24 – 0.33 | 0.28 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1213 CARB — frequently asked
What is 1213 CARB used for?
1213 CARB is typically used for screw machine parts, electrical connectors, small fasteners and fittings. In short: benchmark free-cutting steel; highest machinability rating; not weldable in practice.
What is the yield strength of 1213 CARB?
1213 CARB has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 1213 CARB easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades). Benchmark free-cutting steel: run high speeds with sharp positive tooling, sulphur-friendly coolant; sulfide inclusions break chips and extend tool life (≈136 % of 1212).
Can 1213 CARB be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). Not recommended — high S and P cause hot cracking and porosity; if unavoidable use low-hydrogen filler, preheat and expect reduced joint properties.
What surface finishes work on 1213 CARB?
Rusts quickly bare — specify zinc or nickel plating, phosphate + oil, or black oxide; inclusion pull-out limits achievable mirror polish.
Can 1213 CARB be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability; light knurling, thread rolling and mild staking are fine, but avoid sharp bends or heavy heading (transverse ductility is poor).
What is the maximum service temperature of 1213 CARB?
1213 CARB is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1213-CD and 1213-ANN?
CD is the default condition — standard stocked condition: straight, size-accurate bright bar with the best chip control on screw machines. ANN: softest condition, used before severe cold heading or when maximum ductility is required. Yield strength is 415 MPa in CD versus 225 MPa in ANN.
Sources
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- SAE J1397 — Estimated Mechanical Properties and Machinability of Steel Bars — SAE International (2009)
- GB/T 8731 (Y15) — SAC (2008)
- EN 10087 / DIN 1651 free-cutting steels (9SMn36, 11SMnPb37) — CEN (1998)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.